Teachers, Students Blast Dearborn Heights School Board Over Principal's Suspension

DEARBORN HEIGHTS, MI — Dozens of teachers and community members blasted the Dearborn Heights District 7 school board Wednesday night for what they say is a lack of transparency in the investigation of Annapolis High School Principal Aaron Mollett.

Mollett was placed on paid administrative leave for a second time without explanation at the conclusion of the 2022-23 school year while a "highly sensitive" investigation plays out, officials said.

Board President Latanya Gater said the district does not share details of personnel matters.

One Annapolis High School teacher demanded answers from the board Wednesday night into why Mollett was suspended.

"We have a building principal at Annapolis put on leave, then he's brought back, then he's put on leave again, so no explanation, no transparency, no nothing." one Annapolis High School teacher said. "We're asking for a lot more. We have dedicated ourselves to this district time and time again. We need more leadership."

Some teachers and district alumni said they have lost trust in the board over the pending investigation into Mollett, and the board's lack of clarity regarding the suspension is failing its teachers and students.

"Ultimately we're here for the kids, and I feel like that's being lost," a Dearborn Heights elementary school teacher said.

Multiple students also showed support for Mollett during the meeting and said they want answers as to why he was suspended.

"He makes students who don't want to go to school actually want to go to school," one Annapolis High School student said. "Bring back Mr. Mollett and give us those answers we should have gotten a long time ago."

Mollett was originally suspended without explanation in early May, but was then reinstated during a rowdy May 17 board meeting.

Gater said a decision to suspend Mollett again at the conclusion of the 2022-23 school year was made during that May 17 board meeting.

Superintendent Tyrone Weeks was also placed on administrative leave at the May 17 board meeting to allow the district to look into three Title IX complaints and one civil rights complaint against Weeks, officials said.